NF-κB can regulate the expression of many inflammatory mediator genes related to inflammation and immune response, including bcl-2, bcl-xl, cIAP, BIRC5, TRAF, COX-2, MMP-9, iNOS, and various cell cycle regulators.314,315 The NF-κB pathway also plays a key role in EMT and cancer stem cell activities316 and has an important role in tumor formation and tumor development through its anti-apoptotic effect. The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is neoplasm.